Automated camera assembly with infrared detector curtain

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an automated camera assembly comprising a camera (e.g., a digital camera) having a field of vision and a detector for detecting a subject and triggering the camera. The detector has an adjustable field of view and includes a sensor (e.g., an IR sensor) having a maximum field of view, and a curtain for reducing the maximum field of view to an adjusted field of view. The curtain comprises at least two sections (e.g., opaque members) coupled to move together from a first position corresponding with the maximum field of view to a second position corresponding with the adjusted field of view smaller than the maximum field of view. Movement of the curtain relative to the sensor can be linear, pivotal, radial, or any other suitable movement.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to trail cameras and, morespecifically, to trail cameras having detectors for determining when totake a picture or video.

Trail cameras (commonly called “trail cams”) are used to take picturesor videos of certain subjects, such as wildlife. In order to trigger thecamera (e.g., take a picture or start a video), trail cams typicallyinclude a detector that detects that a subject is within view of thecamera. The detector can detect a variety of variables, such as sound,opacity, geomagnetism, reflection of transmitted energy, electromagneticinduction, and vibration. Most trail cams used today utilize an infrared(“IR”) detector for triggering the camera.

On an IR trail cam, the IR detector is positioned to receive radiationfrom the direction that the camera is pointing. A lens (e.g., a Fresnellens) can be positioned in front of the IR detector to gather IRradiation and define a field of view. The detector will trigger thecamera when a subject is detected in the detector's field of view.Typically, the detector's field of view is the same as the camera'sfield of vision so that an object sensed by the IR detector is withinthe field of vision of the camera. When the IR detector senses a changein the IR radiation within the field of view, it sends a signal toactivate the camera.

Because the detector's field of view is the same as the camera's fieldof vision, pictures taken with the above system commonly result in thesubject (i.e., the object emitting IR radiation) being positioned on theedge of the picture. In order to solve this problem, some cameras designthe detector's field of view to be narrower and centered with respect tothe camera's field of view. The result is that the detector does nottrigger the camera until the subject is more centered within thecamera's field of vision.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an automated camera assembly comprising acamera (e.g., a digital camera) having a field of vision and a detectorfor detecting a subject and triggering the camera. The detector has anadjustable field of view and includes a sensor (e.g., an IR sensor)having a maximum field of view, and a curtain for reducing the maximumfield of view to an adjusted field of view. The curtain comprises atleast two sections (e.g., opaque members) coupled to move together froma first position corresponding with the maximum field of view to asecond position corresponding with the adjusted field of view smallerthan the maximum field of view. Movement of the curtain relative to thesensor can be linear, pivotal, radial, or any other suitable movement.

The present invention also provides a method of adjusting a field ofview of a detector on an automated camera assembly having a camerapositioned within a housing. The detector includes a curtain having atleast two sections coupled for simultaneous movement, and the methodcomprises detecting a first subject within a maximum field of view ofthe detector, triggering the camera after detecting the first subjectwithin the maximum field of view, and adjusting the maximum field ofview of the detector to an adjusted field of view of the detector bymoving the at least two curtain sections together from a first positioncorresponding with the maximum field of view to a second positioncorresponding with the adjusted field of view smaller than the maximumfield of view. The method further comprises detecting a second subjectwithin the adjusted field of view and triggering the camera afterdetecting the second subject within the adjusted field of view.Preferably, the detector comprises a sensor, and the step of adjustingincludes moving the at least two curtain members in front of the sensor,such as by linearly sliding, pivoting, or moving radially.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera assembly embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the camera assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating ahousing and a detector having a curtain in a first position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the camera assembly of FIG. 1 illustratinga portion of the housing and the curtain.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the camera assembly of FIG. 2 illustrating thecurtain in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present inventionincluding a different curtain shown in a first position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the camera assembly of FIG. 5 illustrating thecurtain in a second position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of the present inventionincluding a different curtain shown in a first position.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the camera assembly of FIG. 7 illustrating thecurtain in a second position.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the present inventionincluding an electronic curtain in a first position.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the camera assembly portion of FIG. 9illustrating the electronic curtain in a second position.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the present inventionincluding another electronic curtain in a first position.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the camera assembly portion of FIG. 11illustrating the electronic curtain in a second position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention including another curtain in a first position.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the camera assembly portion of FIG. 13illustrating the curtain in a second position.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a seventh embodiment of the present inventionincluding another curtain in a first position.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the camera assembly portion of FIG. 15illustrating the curtain in a second position.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an automated wildlife surveillance system or trailcamera assembly 10 that can be attached to a mounting structure (e.g., atree, a post, etc.). The camera assembly 10 includes a housing 15 thatincludes a base 20 and a cover 25 that is secured to the base 20. Thehousing 15 encloses and supports a camera 30 (e.g., a digital camera),an illumination source 35 (i.e., camera flash), and a detector 40 fortaking pictures and/or video (described collectively as media) ofsubjects (e.g., wildlife). The housing 15 also supports a user interface45 that has several button switches 50 and a display 55. The cover 25has several transparent windows 60 so that the camera 30, theillumination source 35, and the display 55 (and optionally, the detector40) are protected from the environment while also providing exposure(i.e., a clear line of sight) for the camera 30, the illumination source35, and the detector 40 through the cover 25. The camera assembly 10also has electrical and/or electronic connections 65 that provide powerto components of the camera assembly 10 and to download the media storedin the camera 30. As illustrated, a strap closure 70 (e.g., formed of asoft, resilient material) is attached to the housing 15 to enclose theuser interface 45 (e.g., to protect the user interface 45 from debris,water, sunlight, rain, etc.) when not in use. As will be appreciated,the camera assembly 10 can include other components (e.g., additionalsensors, not specifically discussed herein).

The illustrated detector 40 includes a passive infrared (“PIR”) sensor75 and a lens 80 (e.g., a Fresnel lens). The sensor 75 detects a subjectand outputs a signal to a processor 85 in response to detection of thesubject. The lens 80 defines a field of view of the detector 40 andfocuses infrared radiation generated or reflected by a warm object inthe field of view onto the PIR sensor 75. Generally, the detector 40 hasa wide field of view (e.g., approximately 45-180°) to encompass a largearea of the environment in front of the camera assembly 10.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, the detector 40 also includes acurtain 90 that is movable (e.g., slidable vertically, as shown in FIGS.1, 2, and 4) between a first position (FIG. 2) in which the curtain 90does not cover or block a portion of the lens 80, and a second position(FIG. 4) in which the curtain 90 covers or blocks a portion of the lens80 to adjust the field of view of the detector 40. The illustratedcurtain 90 is U-shaped and has a bridge section 95 that interconnectsopaque curtain sections 100. The curtain 90 is positioned in a recessedarea 105 of the cover 25, and outer edges of the curtain sections 100slide within channels 110 (FIG. 3) that are defined in the cover 25 sothat the curtain 90 is slidable relative to the cover 25. As illustratedin FIG. 3, a detent 115 protrudes into each channel and acts on thecurtain sections 100 near the bridge when the curtain 90 is in thesecond position to hold the curtain 90 in the second position. In otherconstructions, the cover 25 can be provided without a detent 115 suchthat general frictional resistance between the cover 25 and the sides ofthe curtain sections 100 can hold the curtain 90 in place. The curtain90 also optionally has a projection or guide post 120 along a backsideof the curtain 90 that engages a slot 125 in the cover 25 within therecessed area 105 to guide movement of the curtain 90 between the firstposition and the second position. The guide post 120 and the slot 125also cooperatively inhibit removal of the curtain 90 from the cover 25absent a user's desire to do so.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the curtain 90 in the first position (a storageposition) in which the curtain sections 100 do not cover the lens 80such that the detector 40 has a predetermined wide field of view. Asshown in FIG. 3, the bridge section 95 has a higher profile than thecurtain 90 protections so that a user can easily grasp the curtain 90 tomove the curtain 90 between the first position and the second position.FIG. 4 illustrates the curtain 90 in the second position in which thecurtain sections 100 cover laterally opposite sides of the lens 80 suchthat the detector 40 has a narrow field of view (e.g., 5-45°). That is,the curtain sections 100 narrow the area in front of the camera assembly10 in which the sensor 75 can detect infrared light. As a result, thePIR sensor 75 can only receive infrared light through the lens 80between the curtain sections.

A user can adjust the field of view of the detector 40 from the widefield of view to the narrow field of view by sliding the curtain 90 fromthe first position to the second position so that the curtain sections100 cover 25 the side areas of the lens 80. In the second position, onlythe center area of the lens 80 focuses light onto the PIR sensor 75. Inaddition to visual cues, the user can determine that the curtain 90 hasreached the second position because the detent 115 will no longer act onthe sides of the curtain sections 100 (i.e., the frictional resistancecaused by the detent 115 ceases when the curtain 90 reaches the secondposition). As illustrated, the distance that the curtain 90 moves withinthe recessed area 105 between the first position and the second positionis relatively small (e.g., less than approximately 1 inch), although thedistance can change depending on the design of the camera assembly 10.

The width of the curtain sections 100 determines the width of the fieldof view for the detector 40. The illustrated curtain 90 is removablefrom the cover 25, so that the field of view of the detector can bemodified, if desired, by replacing the curtain 90 with another curtain90 that has wider or narrower curtain sections 100. To remove thecurtain 90, a user gently lifts the bridge section 95 to disengage theguide post 120 from the slot 125, and then slides the curtain 90 alongthe channels 110 (downward as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4) until the curtainsections 100 are disengaged from the cover 25. The user can then insertanother curtain 90 into the recessed area 105 by sliding the curtainsections 100 of the new curtain 90 into the channels 110 until the guidepost 120 engages the slot 125.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a second embodiment of the curtain. For ease ofreference, the same camera is illustrated and referenced for allembodiments of the curtain, with only a slight change in the cover. Theillustrated camera assembly 10 includes a different cover 130 and a pairof curtains 135 that are movable between respective first positions inwhich the curtains 135 do not cover or block a portion of the lens 80,and respective second positions in which the curtains 135 cover or blocka portion of the lens 80 to adjust the field of view of the detector 40.In particular, the cover 130 has recessed areas 140 on opposite sides ofthe detector 40 to accommodate the curtains 135 so that either or bothof the curtains 135 can slide between the first positions and the secondpositions to adjust the field of view for the detector 40.

Each of the illustrated curtains 135 is rectangular and includes auser-engagement section 145 and an opaque curtain section 150. Theuser-engagement section 145 has a raised profile so that a user canmanipulate the curtain 135 between the first and second positions. Likethe curtain sections 100 described with regard to FIGS. 1-4, outer edgesof the curtain sections 150 are disposed in channels (not shown) thatare defined in the cover 130 so that the curtain 135 is slidablerelative to the cover 130. The cover 130 also can include a detent (notshown) to act on the curtain sections 150 when the curtain 135 is in thesecond position to resist movement of the curtain 135 from the secondposition. Also, each curtain 135 can have a guide post (not shown),similar to the guide post 120 described relative to FIGS. 1-4, that isdisposed along the underside to engage a corresponding slot 155 in thecover 130 to guide movement of the curtain 135 between the firstposition and the second position. The guide post and the slot 155function similarly to the guide post 120 and the slot 155 described withregard to FIGS. 1-4, and as such, will not be described in detail.

FIG. 5 illustrates the curtains 135 in the first position (a storageposition) in which the curtain sections 150 do not cover the lens 80such that the detector 40 has a predetermined wide field of view. FIG. 6illustrates the curtains 135 in the second position in which the curtainsections 150 cover laterally opposite sides of the lens 80 such that thedetector 40 has a narrow field of view. That is, the curtain sections150 narrow the area in front of the camera assembly 10 in which thesensor 75 can detect and respond to infrared light.

As will be appreciated, the curtains 135 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6can slide together or independently relative to each other within therecessed areas 140 to modify the field of view for the detector 40. Forexample, when movement of one curtain 135 depends on movement of theother curtain 135, both curtains 135 slide simultaneously between thefirst position and the second position in response to manipulation ofone of the curtains 135. When each curtain 135 is independently movable,a user can manipulate either the left curtain 135 or the right curtain135 between the first position and the second position to adjust thefield of view for the detector 40 without also moving the other curtain135. Moreover, a user can manipulate independently movable curtains 135consecutively or simultaneously between the first and second positions.More generally, the field of view for the detector 40 can be stepwise orcontinuously adjusted from the widest field of view provided to thenarrowest field of view available by sliding one or both of the curtains135 a desired amount. In this regard, this second embodiment of thecurtain is infinitely variable between the first position and the secondposition.

A user can adjust the detector 40 from the wide field of view by slidingone or both curtains 135 from the first position toward or to the secondposition so that the corresponding curtain sections 150 cover the sideareas of the lens 80. As a result, only the center area of the lens 80focuses light onto the PIR sensor 75. Because the illustrated curtains135 are oriented to slide horizontally between the first and secondpositions, a detent is not necessary to hold the curtains 135 in thedesired position. The distance that the curtains 135 move within therecessed areas 140 between the first position and the second position isrelatively small (e.g., less than approximately 1 inch).

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment of the curtain, where thecamera assembly 10 includes a different cover 160 and another pair ofcurtains 165 that are movable between respective first positions inwhich the curtains 165 do not cover or block a portion of the lens 80,and respective second positions in which the curtains 165 cover or blocka portion of the lens 80 to adjust the field of view of the detector 40.More specifically, each of the illustrated curtains 165 is disposed in arecessed area 170 of the cover 160 and is pivotable (e.g., likeshutters) about a corresponding pivot 175 between the first position andthe second position. The curtains 165 have opaque curtain sections thatare manipulatable by a user to adjust the field of view for the detector40.

FIG. 7 illustrates the curtains 165 in the first position such that thedetector 40 has a predetermined wide field of view. FIG. 8 illustratesthe curtains 165 pivoted to the second position to cover laterallyopposite sides of the lens 80 such that the detector 40 has a narrowfield of view in which the PIR sensor 75 can only receive and respond toinfrared light through the lens 80 between the curtains 165.

The curtains 165 are independently movable between the first and secondpositions so that one or both sides of the lens 80 can be covered. Theindependently movable curtains 165 provide stepwise or continuousadjustment of the field of view for the detector 40 between the widestfield of view provided and the narrowest field of view available bypivoting one or both of the curtains 165 to cover as much or as littleof the lens 80 as desired. In particular, a user can adjust the field ofview of the detector 40 from the wide field of view to a narrower fieldof view by pivoting one or both curtains 165 from the first positiontoward or to the second position so that the corresponding curtainsections 180 cover at least some of the side areas of the lens 80. As aresult, only the central area of the lens 80 focuses light onto the PIRsensor 75. Like the curtains 165 described with regard to FIGS. 1-6, theillustrated curtains 165 are removable from the cover 160 so the narrowfield of view can be modified, if desired, by replacing the curtains 165with wider or narrower curtains 165.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the curtain. In thisembodiment, the camera assembly includes a different cover 180 and anelectronic or digital curtain 185 for the camera assembly 10. Thedigital curtain 185 can be formed as part of the sensor 75, provided asa separate component disposed between the sensor 75 and the lens 80, orbe incorporated into the control logic of a digital processor (e.g., theprocessor can selectively ignore signals form certain pixels). In someconstructions, the camera assembly 10 can be provided without a separatelens 80 (e.g., the lens 80 can be incorporated into the sensor 75, ornot provided at all). As illustrated, the digital curtain 185 has adigital pixel array 190 that surrounds the center of the sensor 75 andthat is variable between a first position (e.g., an “on state”) in whichthe detector 40 has a wide field of view, and a second position (e.g.,an “off state”) in which the detector 40 has a narrow field of view. Thepixel array 190 has a plurality of pixels 195 concentrically arrangedaround the center of the sensor 75, which remains exposed to theenvironment surrounding the camera assembly 10 regardless of the stateof the pixel array 190.

FIG. 9 shows the detector 40 with the pixel array 190 in the on state(i.e., the detector 40 has the wide field of view). More specifically,all of the pixels 195 are in the on state such that the sensor 75responds to infrared light detected by any of the pixels 195 (i.e., thedetector 40 has a wide field of view) or by the center, non-pixilatedarea of the sensor 75. If desired, some or all of the pixels 195 can bevaried to the off state so that the detector 40 has a narrower field ofview by manipulating a button or switch (not shown) on the housing 15.Generally, the quantity of pixels 195 that are in the off statedetermines how narrow the field of view will be for the detector 40.FIG. 10 shows the detector 40 with some of the pixels 195 in the offstate (illustrated as grayed-out in FIG. 10) such that the detector 40has a narrow field of view (i.e., only the center area of the sensor 75and the vertically-centered pixels 195 receive and respond to infraredlight). Depending on the level of control provided in the cameraassembly 10, one or more of the pixels 195 can be individually orcollectively varied (using corresponding controls or switches on thecamera assembly 10) between the on and off states to achieve the desiredfield of view for the detector 40.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the curtain. Like thefourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment is another electronic or digitalcurtain 200 for the camera assembly 10. Like the digital curtain 185described with regard to FIGS. 9 and 10, the digital curtain 200 shownin FIGS. 11 and 12 can be formed as part of the sensor 75, provided as aseparate component or layer disposed between the sensor 75 and the lens80 (e.g., on the surface of the sensor 75), or be incorporated into thecontrol logic of a digital processor (e.g., the processor canselectively ignore signals form certain pixels). Likewise, the cameraassembly 10 can be provided without a separate lens 80 (e.g., the lens80 can be incorporated into the sensor 75, or not provided at all).

As illustrated, the digital curtain 200 has a digital pixel array 205with a plurality of pixels 210 arranged in a matrix across the sensor75. Each pixel 210 can be varied (individually or collectively with atleast some of the remaining pixels 210) between a first position (e.g.,an “on state”) and a second position (e.g., an “off state”) to adjustthe field of view for the detector 40. When all of the pixels 210 are inthe on state, the detector 40 has a wide field of view. In other words,the sensor 75 receives and responds to infrared light detected by any ofthe pixels 210. When one or more pixels 210 are in the off state, thedetector 40 will have a narrower field of view (i.e., a field of viewthat is smaller than the wide field of view) such that the sensor 75only responds to infrared light detected by the pixels 210 in the onstate.

FIG. 11 shows the detector 40 with all of the pixels 210 in the on state(i.e., the detector 40 has the wide field of view). If desired, a usercan vary some or all of the pixels 210 to the off state so that thedetector 40 has a narrower field of view by manipulating a button orswitch (not shown) on the housing 15. FIG. 12 shows the detector 40 withpixels 210 on opposite sides of the sensor 75 (left and right sides asviewed in FIG. 12) in the off state (illustrated as grayed-out in FIG.12) such that only the centrally located pixels 210 are in the on stateand respond to infrared light, thus narrowing the detector's field ofview. Depending on the level of control provided in the camera assembly10, individual pixels 210 or groups of pixels 210 can be varied betweenthe on and off states to achieve the desired field of view for thedetector 40.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a sixth embodiment of a curtain 220 for thecamera assembly 10. The camera assembly 10 includes the cover 25 (or asimilar cover) and the recessed area 105, and the curtain 220 is movablebetween a first position (FIG. 13) in which the curtain 220 does notcover or block a portion of the lens 80, and a second position (FIG. 14)in which the curtain 220 covers or blocks a portion of the lens 80 toadjust the field of view of the detector 40. More specifically, theillustrated curtain 220 is disposed in the recessed area 105 of thecover 160 and has a flange 225 that slides within the channels 110between the first position and the second position.

The curtain 220 is further defined by a cylindrical body 230 extendingoutward from the flange 225. The cylindrical body 230 has a hollowcentral shaft 235 and an opaque curtain section 240 disposedconcentrically about the central shaft 235 (i.e., the radially inwardsurface of the curtain section 240 defines the central shaft 235). Thecentral shaft 235 passes completely through the body 230 and the flange225 so that some infrared light can still reach the PIR sensor 75. Thecentral shaft 235 has a predetermined width or diameter that determinesthe field of view of the detector 40.

FIG. 13 illustrates the curtain 220 in the first position such that thedetector 40 has a predetermined wide field of view. FIG. 14 illustratesthe curtain 220 slid to the second position to cover the outermostradial portion of the lens 80 such that the detector 40 has a narrowfield of view in which the PIR sensor 75 can only receive and respond toinfrared light through the lens 80 directed along the central shaft 235.The curtain 220 is movable between the first and second positions sothat the detector has the predetermined wide field of view (determinedbased on the field of view of the lens 80), or a narrow field of view(determined by the width of the central shaft 235). A user can adjustthe field of view of the detector 40 from the wide field of view to anarrower field of view by moving the curtain from the first position tothe second position. In the second position, only the central area ofthe lens 80 focuses light onto the PIR sensor 75. Like the curtains 165described with regard to FIGS. 1-8, the illustrated curtain 220 isremovable from the cover 160 so the narrow field of view can bemodified, if desired, by replacing the curtain 220 with a wider ornarrower curtain 220.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a seventh embodiment of a curtain 250 for thecamera assembly 10. The camera assembly 10 includes the cover 180described with regard to FIGS. 9-12. The curtain 250 has a plurality ofoverlapping, opaque blades 255 arranged around the perimeter of the lens80 to form a mechanical aperture 260 at the center of the blades 255.The blades 255 are adjustable between a first position in which thecurtain 250 does not cover or block a significant portion of the lens80, and a second position in which the curtain 250 covers or blocks asignificant portion of the lens 80 to adjust the field of view of thedetector 40. The PIR sensor 75 is not shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 forclarity.

The curtain 250 can be a mechanical or electro-mechanical device thatmoves the blades 255 generally radially inward and radially outward toadjust the size of the aperture, and thus the amount of light passingthrough the lens 80. For example, movement of the blades can beaccomplished mechanically by twisting or rotating a knob on the cover180 or electrically or electronically via a control on the cover 180(e.g., a pushbutton on the cover 180). The blades 255 can becontinuously or step-wise movable between the first position and thesecond position to achieve a desired aperture size corresponding to adesired field of view.

FIG. 15 illustrates the curtain 250 in the first position such that thedetector 40 has a predetermined wide field of view. FIG. 16 illustratesthe curtain 250 with the blades 255 moved radially inward toward thesecond position to cover the outermost radial portion of the lens 80such that the detector 40 has a narrow field of view through theaperture 260. In the position illustrated in FIG. 16, the PIR sensor 75can only receive and respond to infrared light through the lens 80directed through the aperture 260.

The detector 40 triggers the camera 30 to take a picture or start avideo when the PIR sensor 75 detects and responds to infrared light (ora change in infrared light) within the field of view of the detector 40.More specifically, the processor 85 receives information from the sensor75 regarding the position of the subject within the maximum field ofview provided by the detector 40, and is programmed to actuate thecamera 30 when the subject is within the field of view. The adjustablefield of view for the detector 40 allows a user to selectively choose awide field of view to capture a subject anywhere in the camera's fieldof vision, or a narrower field of view to capture a subject closer tothe center of the camera's field of vision. While specific examples ofmechanical and electronic or digital curtains are discussed in detailwith regard to FIGS. 1-16, is should be appreciated that other curtainscan be used to selectively narrow the field of view of the detector 40.

With regard to the curtains described with regard to FIGS. 1-8 and13-16, when the curtain 90, 135, 165, 220, 250 is in the first position,the field of view of the detector 40 is the same as the camera's fieldof vision. When the curtain 90, 135, 165, 220, 250 is moved to thesecond position, the field of view of the detector 40 is narrower thanthe camera's field of vision so that the media taken with the cameraassembly 10 will more likely show the subject centered on the media. Anarrower field of view for the detector 40 also will be more likely toaccurately and completely capture the subject in the media. Moreover, auser can manipulate the curtain 90, 135, 165, 220, 250 to adjust thefield of view as desired.

With regard to the digital curtains described with regard to FIGS. 9-12,in some constructions the pixels 195, 210 that are in the off state mayreceive infrared light emanating from the environment. In theseconstructions, the processor 85 receives information from the sensor 75regarding the position of the subject within the maximum field of view(i.e., the widest field of view provided for the detector 40) inresponse to any pixel 195, 210 detecting infrared light. However, theprocessor 85 in these constructions is programmed to trigger the camera30 only when the subject is within the adjusted field of view that isnarrower than the maximum field of view. In other words, the detector 40recognizes a subject that is in the wide field of view and communicatesthis recognition to the processor 85, but the processor 85 does nottrigger the camera 30 until at least one of the pixels 195, 210 that isin the on state (or the center area of the sensor 75 of FIGS. 9 and 10)receives and responds to infrared light. Thus, the processor does nottrigger the camera 30 when a pixel 195, 210 in the off state receives toinfrared light.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automated camera assembly comprising: acamera having a field of vision; and a detector for detecting a subjectand triggering the camera, the detector including an adjustable field ofview, wherein the detector includes: a sensor having a maximum field ofview; and a curtain for reducing the maximum field of view to anadjusted field of view, wherein the curtain comprises at least twosections coupled to move together from a first position correspondingwith the maximum field of view to a second position corresponding withthe adjusted field of view smaller than the maximum field of view;wherein the at least two sections are positioned on opposing sides ofthe sensor in the second position.
 2. An automated camera assembly asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the camera is a digital camera.
 3. Anautomated camera assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detectorincludes an infrared sensor.
 4. An automated camera assembly as claimedin claim 1, wherein the curtain sections comprise opaque members movablerelative to the sensor.
 5. An automated camera assembly as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the curtain is mounted for linear movement relative tothe sensor.
 6. An automated camera assembly as claimed in claim 4,wherein the curtain is mounted for pivotal movement relative to thesensor.
 7. An automated camera assembly as claimed in claim 4, whereinthe curtain is mounted for radial movement relative to the sensor.
 8. Amethod of adjusting a field of view of a detector on an automated cameraassembly having a camera positioned within a housing, the detectorincluding a curtain having at least two sections coupled forsimultaneous movement, the method comprising: detecting a first subjectwithin a maximum field of view of the detector; triggering the cameraafter detecting the first subject within the maximum field of view;adjusting the maximum field of view of the detector to an adjusted fieldof view of the detector by moving the at least two curtain sectionstogether from a first position corresponding with the maximum field ofview to a second position corresponding with the adjusted field of viewsmaller than the maximum field of view; wherein the detector comprises asensor, and wherein adjusting includes positioning the two curtainmembers on opposing sides of the maximum field of view to partiallyblock the maximum field of view; detecting a second subject within theadjusted field of view; and triggering the camera after detecting thesecond subject within the adjusted field of view.
 9. A method as claimedin claim 8, wherein moving comprises linearly sliding the curtainmembers relative to the sensor.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 8,wherein moving comprises pivoting the curtain members relative to thesensor.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the automated cameraassembly further includes a processor that receives information from thedetector regarding the position of the subject within the maximum fieldof view and triggers the camera when the subject is within an adjustedfield of view less than the maximum field of view.